Broncos Update Insider

The Denver Broncos made their first move in the free agency market by signing Carolina receiver Keary Colbert to a three year contract.

If the Denver Broncos keep their word, they will be conservative in
free agency this year.

They remember free-agent busts like Simeon Rice, Sam Adams and Daryl
Gardener, and want to focus on building through the draft.

"Most people are protecting their players right now and it's getting
harder and harder to get any quality free agents because you're
overpaying for guys that people don't really want," Broncos coach Mike
Shanahan said. "They have holes in them. You better do it through the draft,
and maybe free agents and not overpay."

The past three drafts have been solid for the Broncos, especially
the 2006 draft that produced four standout players. The process may be
slower, but the free-agent market dictates it. Many teams are locking up
their own players before they hit free agency, sometimes using the
franchise and transition tags to deplete the market.

Many teams, including Indianapolis, have built through the draft and
sprinkled in a few key veterans through free agency or trades.

Denver won't avoid free agency altogether. They have plenty of
holes, including at receiver, offensive tackle, defensive tackle, linebacker
and safety, and won't be able to fill all their 2008 needs through the
draft.

NOTES, QUOTES

--S John Lynch will return for another season in Denver after
agreeing to a pay cut. He was due to make $3.12 million next season, a figure
that would have led to his release.

"I could probably go make more money elsewhere in the free agent
market," Lynch told Denver-area media outlets. "And I had really gone to
bed excited about that.

"And then I woke up thinking, 'What am I doing?' I've got four kids
who are happy here. I've found a home here and I didn't want to be one
of those guys going from team to team. I felt I had earned what I had
coming to me but sometimes you have to step back and look at the big
picture. And the big picture to me was: I had to find a way to make this
work."

Giving Abdullah a low tender is a bit of a risk. He was a
seventh-round pick and that's what the Broncos would get back as compensation if
they don't match any offer he might get.

"I would definitely expect Hamza to be valued by other teams in the
market for safeties and we will evaluate those opportunities as they

come," said C.J. LaBoy, Abdullah's agent.
--The Broncos hired Jedd Fisch as their new receivers coach. Fisch
had been with the Ravens. He replaces Jeremy Bates, who was promoted to
passing game coordinator.

--The Broncos cut wide receiver Javon Walker, who was due $5.4
million in bonuses this offseason and is coming off another knee surgery.

--Kicker Jason Elam spent the week leading up to free agency waiting
for substantive talks with the Broncos, but there weren't many
negotiations. Both sides expressed that they wanted to get a deal done, but
Elam has always expressed that he won't be bitter if the Broncos decide
to go in a different direction.

"I've always said, whenever I finish, my main hope is that I can go
upstairs and shake everybody's hand and everybody feels good about
everything," Elam said late last season.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

TEAM NEEDS/OFFSEASON STRATEGY

One thing the Broncos won't have to worry much about is their own
crop of free agents. Aside from kicker Jason Elam, who wants to stay and
probably will, there are no key members of the team's nucleus up for
free agency. Defensive end John Engelberger and safety Nick Ferguson are
probably the top two after Elam, and Engelberger singed late Thursday
night.

What the Broncos will have to decide is what to do with a couple of
their key offensive players who are due large bonuses this offseason.

Running back Travis Henry could come back with a restructured contract.

Receiver Javon Walker was released.

1. Defensive line: The Broncos made some strides last year, finding
young linemen that can hopefully help them for years to come. But for a
team that struggled to stop the run most of the season, more linemen
are needed to help that turnaround.

2. Linebacker: D.J. Williams had a solid year in the middle, but
might have been miscast. If the Broncos can find a good option at middle
linebacker, Williams might move back outside. Depth at outside
linebacker might also help.

3. Wide receiver: With Javon Walker released, the Broncos needed someone to
go with Brandon MarshallBrandon Stokley is a good third receiver, but
the Broncos don't want him to be a full-time starter.

MEDICAL WATCH: No updates.

FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.

TRANSITION PLAYER: None.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
--TE Stephen Alexander is very unlikely to be back, he will probably
retire.
--K Jason Elam will probably be back; both sides are interested in
having him return.
--S Nick Ferguson was benched last year and finished his second
straight season on injured reserve. He will look at his options in free
agency.
--FB Cecil Sapp should return, he's a versatile performer who fits
the Broncos offense well.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
--C Chris Myers (tendered at $927,000 with 6th-round pick as
compensation) filled in well for Tom Nalen last year, and his versatility will
be an asset even if Nalen returns at 100 percent this season.